Gas-producing apparatus



Match 13, 1928.

. 6 1,662,266 v. D. MCDONNELL GAS PRODUCING APPARATUS 3 Shmets-fiheet 1 Filed June 20, 1921 March 13, 1928.

V. D. M DONNELL GA'S PRODUCING APPARATUS File d June 20, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Win 52% Irnfe rdz;

March 13, 1928. 1,662,266

v. D. M DQNNELL GAS PRODUCING APPARATUS HE J- V Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES VINCENT D. MODONNELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GAS-PRODUCING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 20, 1921. Serial No. 478,826.

My invention relates to apparatus for producing a combustible gas from water and carbon, adapted for heat and power generation; the invention having for its object the provision of apparatus whereby a substantially continuous production of low nitrogen water gas may be had, as distinguished from apparatus and methods heretofore employed wherein the water gas is intermittently produced or generated by alternately admitting air and steam to the incandescent carbon, a quantity of air just sufiicient to maintain the incandescent mass or carbon sufliciently to induce a decomposition and disassociation of the steam.

The purpose of myinvention is to provide apparatus wherein the water will be vaporized to such an extent as to be converted into a dry superheated steam and subsequently conveyed or directed through a mass of carnaceous matter which has previously been brought to an incandescent heat in a substantially air-tight compartment or chamber; the apparatus being so constructed that a continuous high temperature of the incandescent zone or mass may be maintained and a substantially continuous flow of a rich gas thereby produced as a result of the superheating' of the steam, at least substantially, to the minimum temperature required in the incandescent zone or mass inadvance of the admission of the steam into the incandescent zone or carbon holding chamber.

The objects and advantages of my improved construction hereinbefore recited, as well as other advantages inherent in the construction, will be more readily compre- Fi ure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking in the dircction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional .view illustrating 'a modified form of my improved apparatus. In the particular exemplification of the nvention as disclosed in Figures 1 to 4, my mproved apparatus comprises the gas generating chamber 10 provided with a wall of refractory material 11 of suit able thickness and extending to a predetermined height within the cylinder or shell 12; the lower part of the 'gas generating chamber 10 in the cylinder 12 being provided with a suitable grate as at 13, supported in a suitable manner, as for example on the chambered ring or hollow annular member 14 to which the lower end of the cylinder or shell is secured. The annular member or ring 14 with the superposed grate and cylindrical shell or wall 12 may be supported in any suitable manner, as for example by means of the metallic brackets or legs 15. Secured to the underside of the annular member or chambered ring 14 is an ash-pit, preferably shown in the nature of a cone-shaped shell 16 and depending beneath the grate and the member 14, with the apex portion of the ash-pit or cone-shaped shell 16 being provided with a cylindrical drum or ash discharging member 17 of a construction well known in the art and which is adapted to provide an air-tight discharge for the ash-pit. so that air will not be admitted beneath the grate and therefore into the fire-pot L0.

Theupper end of the cylindrical wall or shell 12 is provided with an annular header or chambered ring 18 shown provided with an annular flange 19 to which the shell or wall 12 is bolted or otherwise firmly secured to provide an air-tight juncture. The annular header or chambered ring. 18 is provided with a second annular dependin flange 20 to which is firmly secured a secon cylin drical wall or shell 21 adapted to extend to a point beneath the ash-discharging member 17 and thelower end-preferably provided with a reenforcing ring of angle iron 22 to which a bottom 23 is secured to provide a substantially air-tight chamber within the second shell or wall 21. The cylindrical wall or shell 21 is concentric with and spaced from wall or shell 12 in order to provide an intermediate chamber 24 which is adapted to constitute a steam generating and superheating chamber. Disposed intermediate of the upper end of the shells or walls 12 and 21 and preferably secured to the shell or wall 12 is a trough 25 disposed helically within the chamber 24, that is, in a helical manner about the inner wall or shell 12 from the upper end thereof to a point substantially parallel with the upper end of the gas generating chamber 10 on the shell interior; the trough 25 being substantially V-shaped in cross section, see Figure 2, so as to convey the water received from a conduit 26, in a circuitous or helical course about the upper end of the inner shell or wall 12; the conduit 26 oommunicatin with any suitable water supply and provided with a suitable valve 27 whereby the inflow of the water may be controlled and water admitted in suitable minute quantities.

The chamber 24, intermediate of the cylindrical walls or shells 12 and 21 at a point coincidenttwith and throughout the length of the gas generating chamber 10, namely intermediate of the trough 25 and the annular member or ring 14, is provided with a series of transversely disposed, vertically spaced baflle plates or heat conducting partitions 28 extending from wall or shell 12 to wall or shell 21 and disposed circumferentially thereabout as shown in Figure 2; each battle or partition being preferably provided with an opening 29 as shown in Figure 4.

The battle members or partitions 28 may be made in half sections if desired; the members being supported on suitable lugs 30, riveted, welded, or otherwise secured, to the walls or shells 12 and 21, respectively. The battle members 28 are so arranged that the opening 29 in the successive members 28 will be disposed in staggered relation with each other, that is to say the opening 29 in each member 28 is arranged on the opposite side of the generator or approximately 180 degrees from the opening in the adjacent members so that say half of the openings will be on one side of the generator while the other half will be on the opposite side in order that a direct passage through the chamber 24 from top to bottom will be impossible. With this arrangement it is apparent that the steam is forced to pass about the hot wall 12 toward the opening 29 in the partition 28 and thence beneath said partition toward the opposite-side of the generator and through the opening 29 of the succeeding bathe member or partition and successively toward opposite sides of the generator until the steam reaches the bottom of the chamber immediately above the bottom member or ring 14. lVith this construction the travel of the steam through the chamber intermediate of walls 12 and 21 is greatly increased and maintained in contact with the hot walls and partitions and therefore properly preheated to produce the desired result. The various bullies or partitions, b reason of their contact with the inner wa l or shell 12, as well as the wall or shell 21, will more completely transfer the heat from said metallic walls to the inflowing water and subsequent steam, with the result that the steam is ultimately brought or heated to a temperature substantially equal to the temperature at the bottom of the gas generating chamber 10. The superheated steam resulting at the bottom of the chamber 24 beneath the lowermost member or partition 28 is then permitted to pass into the annular member or hollow ring 14 through a plurality of tuyeres or ports 32, see Figure 2, and discharged at a point immediately beneath the grate 13 through the tuyeres 33, arranged circumferentially on the inner periphery of the ring or annular member 14.

The upper end of the gas producer or generator is provided with a metallic shell or fuel magazine 34 arranged in fluid-tight relation with the header or hollow ring 18 at the upper end of the generator and extending downwardly to a point in proximity to the upper edge of the refractory wall 11 of the fire-pot or gas generating chamber. The fuel magazine is of such circumference that a circumferential, comparatively narllll row passage will be provided between the lower end of the magazine 34 and the upper edge of the refractory lining 11 to permit the rising gases to pass into the chamber intermediate of the magazine 34 and the upper end of the inner wall or shell 12, from whence the rising gases are admitted through a series of circumfercntially disposed perforations or ports 35 into the upper header or hollow ring 18. The ring 18 is also provided with a second series of circumferentially arranged ports or openings 38, which communicate with a chamber 37 disposed intermediate of the second cylindrical wall or shell 21 and the outer cylindrical wall or shell 38; the latter being preferably provided with suitabe insulation as at 39 to prevent dissipation of heat from the hot gases which pass through chamber 37, thereby ensuring transference of the heat of the hot gases to the intermediate wall or shell 21 and through the medium of said wall and the various baffle members, previously described, to the water and the steam flowing downwardly through chamber 24. The outer wall 38. adiacent the lower end thereof, is provided with a suitable outlet 40 which communicates with a disposed partitions or baflies 44, which, like gas-conveying conduit 41 whereby the generated gases may be conveyed to the point of use or to a scrubber or washer.

The grate 13 is rovided with on opera-ting shaft 42 disposed through the wall 16 of the ash-pit and the walls 21 and 38; the shaft being disposed through suitable stuffing boxes arranged on said walls in order to provide a substantially air-tight juncture or connection; while the outer end of the shaft 42 is provided with a suitable lever 43 whplreby the grate may be agitated or operate The chamber 37 is also preferably shown provided with a plurality of transversely ba-flle members 28, are each provided with an opening 45, Figure 4, of predetermined size or length; the successive baflles being preferably arranged so that the openings 45 will be in staggered relation, namely with the opening in each bafile disposed substantially 180 degrees distant from those in the adjacent baiiles, so that the hot gases may be given a circuitous or indirect passage from the header or hollow member 18 at the upper end of the producer at least throughout the vapor-containing or generating portion of the producer; the bafiie members or partitions 44, like the baflle members 28 being preferably supported on suitable lugs arranged on the walls-21 and 38. The partitions or bafiies ma be made in segmental sections and mova 1y mounted if desired, namely so as to be movable circumferentially about the vertical axis of the apparatus, thereby enabling the easy positioning of the bafiles. With this arrangement of baflle' members in the gas passage or chamber it is apparent that the heat of the gas will be transferred through the baflles and walls, of conductive material; to the inflowing water and ultimate steam, before the gases are discharged through the discharge outlet 40. a

The fuel magazine 34 is rovided with a suitable fuel hopper 46, preferably of an inverted cone shape, having a top or lid 47 ar ranged in air-tight relation therewith, while the lower or inner end of the hopper 46 is' controlled by means of the inverted coneshaped valve or gate 48 pivotally secured to a link 49 which, in turn, is pivotally secured to a lever 50 pivotally mounted at 51 in the wall of the hopper 46; the outer end of the lever being provided with a suitable balance weight 52 whereby the cone-shaped valve or gate will be maintained in closed position.

' I In Figure 5, I show a modification of my improved producer in so far as the steam generating portion is concerned; that is to say the producer disclosed in Figure 5 s identical with the general constructlon prev1- ously described, being provided with the gas generating chamber or fire-pot 10 having a grate 13 andprovidcd with a metallic shell or wall 12 lined throughout the fire-pot portion with the refractory material 11 which terminates at a point slightly beneath the fuel magazine 34. In this construction, however, the top header. or hollow ring is made larger in cross-section, and a bottom plate or member 53 isemployed, having a number of upstanding ribs or flanges 54, to the inner-one of which the inner shell or wall 12 is secured, while the other ribs. or flages provide means for securing the intermediate metallic shells or walls 55, 56, 57, 58, and 21, in place and maintain proper spaced relation therebetween. These walls in conjunction with the walls 12, 21 and 38,

provide a plurality of cylindrical chambers disposed throughout the gas generating portion of the producer, namely intermediate of the top header and bottom plate. The top header or ring 59 is provided with a pluraland the inner shell or wall 12; another portion of the ports or passages 61 communicates with the chamber intermediate of the shell or walls 55 and 56; a third portionof e interior of the gas ity of ribs or flanges 60 to which the interports communicates with the chamber intermediate of the shell or walls 57 and 58; and a fourth portion of said ports communicates with the chamber 37 disposed intermediate of. the shell or wall 21 and the outer wall or shell 38, which latter, like the previously described construction, is provided! with a suitable covering of insulation 39. Intermediate of shell or wall 55 and shell or wall 12 I provide a helically arranged trough 62 preferably secured to the wall 12 and disposed about the wall12 from the upper end thereof to a point substantially in alignment with the upper end of the gas generating chamber 10;. the trough, like in the previously described construct-ion, being preferably V-shape in cross-section and adapted to receive the water by means of a ramified valved conduit 63.

Both ramifications or branches of conduit 63 are provided with valves 64 whereby the flow of water may be controlled so as to flow either into the chamber intermediate ber intermediate of walls 12 and 55, where I prefer to provide a plurality of horizontally disposed baliies or plates 65 substantially similar to the baffles or plates 28 and each provided with an elongated opening like that shown at 29 in Figure 4, whereby the vapor is forced to come into contact with the metallic plates or bailles, which have become more or less heated through convection due to their contact with the metallic or heat conducting walls. The steam formed from the water in the construction shown in Figure 5 is caused to flow downwardly through the chamber intermediate of walls 12 and 55, namely in proximity to the hottest gases and made to pass through the tuycres or plurality of ports 33 and 33 beneath the grate as in the previously described construction.

The gas generated risesintermediate of the fuel magazine 34: and the inner shell or wall 12 and passes into the top header or ring 59 through the ports 61 and into the chamber intermediate of walls 55 and 56; the ring being provided with a partition or wall as at 59 to cause the incoming gas to flow from the header 59 through the ports 61 which communicate with the chamber intermediate of the shells or walls 55 and 56 as described.

The gas flows downwardly through said chamber and crosses through tubular passages or ports which connect said chamber with the chamber intermediate of the shells or walls 57 and 58 and is thus caused to flow upwardly and discharges into the top header or ring 59 from whence it communicates with the chamber intermediate of the shell or wall 21 and 'the outer shell or wall 38. This chamber extends beneath the ashdischarge mechanism previously described, namely to the bottom of the device where it connects with the large chamber which is provided with the outlet orifice 40 having the conduit 41. With the gases given the circuitous or back and forth passage as described, it is apparent that the respective walls or shells will be heated by the gas so that the chambers intermediate of the walls 12' and 55, 56 and 57, and 58 and 21 will be heated throughout their lengths by said gases.

After the producer has been in operation for a short period sufiiciently to become thoroughly heated, the valve 64 in the branch line of the water-introducing conduit 63 communicating with the chamber intermediate of walls 12 and 55 is then closed and the valve 645 in the other branch line is opened so that water will be introduced into the chamber intermediate of walls 58 and. 21. The chamber last referred to is therefore likewise provided in its upper end with the helical trough 62 similar in construction to the trough disposed intermediate of the walls or shells 12 and 55 and previously referred to. The water flows slowly through the trough G2 in contact with the wall 58, becoming vaporized and forming steam and then passes from the chamber intermediate of walls 21 and 58 through the connecting members or tuyeres 66 into the bottom of the chamber intermediate of walls 56 and 57 and thence upwardly and through the connections or tuyeres (57 arranged in the upper ends of the walls and communicating with the upper part of the chamber disposed intermediate of walls 12 and 55; the steam being permitted to flow downwardly through the last mentioned chamber, becoming superheated and discharged through the ports 68 which communicate with a chambered member or ring LL and which is provided with the tuycrcs disposed beneath the grate as previously described.

The different chambers, especially the water vaporizing chambers, are all preferably provided with a plurality of transversely disposed bafiles 65 apertured in the manner as indicated at 29 and 45 in Figure 4, so that the passing steam will contact with the more or less heated partitions or hallles 65 in its passage through the respective chambers. In the construction shown and described an increased circuitous path is provided for the steam which ensures the steam being superheated to such a temperature that no substantial chilling of the carbonaceous mass in the fire-pot will be effected; in other words the steam will he superheated to a temperature substantially the temperature of the incandescent zone or mass at the bottom of the fire-pot.

It has been found in practice that the higher the temperature of the incandescent zone, the higher will be the percentage of methane produced per time contact of the hydrogen with the carbon and therefore to maintain a continuous high temperature incandescent zone and produce a continuous flow of rich gas requires a producer so constructed that the ingoing steam will be superheated substantially to the temperature of the incandescent zone.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a producer whereby a substantially continuous generation and flow of rich water gas may be obtained and for that reason the fuel hopper and ash-discharge are arranged and sealed against the free admission of air; the ash discharge being equipped with a sealed exitand connections or joints with the walls of the producer; the discharge of the ash being controlled by any suitable means, as for example a screw or worm arranged in a pair of concentric, close fitting sleeves and operated from the producer exterior by means of a suitable crank as indicated at 7 O.

In Figure 1,'I show the generator provided with a steam blower at 71 whereby Ill) steam and air may be admitted into the initial water-receiving chamber, if occasion should arise for employing steam from an outside source of supply; the blower itself being of a well known construction and therefore not requiring detailed illustration and description; a very small quantity of air just suflicient to maintain the carbonaceous mass at incaudescence being permitted to enter through blower 71; the air being caused to flow down through the chamber provided with the troughs and the partitlons and thence being introduced through the tuyeres 33 into contact with the incandescent carbon.

In the operation of the producer, a in h carbon content fuel, such as charcoal, co e or anthracite coal, is preferable and is admitted through the hopper until a suflicient amount has been discharged into the gas generating chamber on the grate 13 and the fuel ignited; air, through the blower 71 is then preferably admitted until the temperature throughout the entire area in the gas generating chamber reaches a temperature sufficient for a dissociation of the gases of the vapor; at which time steam is admitted in quantities as desired through the blower 71, or water, for the production of steam, is admitted through the valved conduit 26 in the producer shown'in Figure 1 or conduit 63 in the producer shown in Figure 5. The steam and air, or water, being admitted to the initial water-receiving chamber is made to travel in a helical course about the chamberand in contact with the heated metallic walls and also brought into contact with the different bafiies 01' plates as heretofore described; the path or travel of the vapor in either construction, may be increased or decreased by adjusting the respective perforated bafiles so as to ring the perforation of each successive bafile into such position, relative to the preceding perforated battle, that the perforation will be either removed from or brought into alignment with the perforations of the adjacent battles, and in this manner controlling the-path of the vapor in its passage toward the tuyeres 33 adjacent the bottom of the grate 13. In my improved producer, the water vapor or steam and air mixture is not only broughtto a high temperature by the heat radiating from the incandescent zone through the walls of the gas generating chamber and the inner shell or metallic wall 12, but it is also heated by radiation from the hot gas passing from the decomposing zone toward the outer chamber 37 before the gas passes through the outlet or exit 40 in the lower part of the producer; the gas-conveying chambers in both constructions shown in the drawings being made to entirely surround the steam preheating chamber or chambers, with the gas-conveying chambers S0 constructed and arranged that substantially all of the heatunits will be extracted from the outgoing gas and transferred to ingolng vapor.

With the constructions shown and having the arrangement of tuyeres as described the superheated steam which passes into the lower header or lower tuyeres will be evenly distributed in small quantities or jets beneath the grate and combustion in the gas generating chamber thereby maintained without necessitating the additional intro-- duction of a material amount of oxygen or air at most not more than a very minute quantity, from the exterior or any other so source; the superheated steam passing through the tuyeres results in complete gas1- fication taking place instantly upon contact of said element with and during its assage through the incandescent carbon, w ile the heat of the carbon or its incandesoence will not be perceptibly diminished or affected, so that the desired incandescence therefore is maintained. With the comparatively large chamber in the bottom of the producer as shown at 72 in Figures 2 and 5, a as receiving and settling chamber is provi ed for precipitation of the impurities entrained therewith, with the result that the use of a scrubber may be eliminated.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, I'have provided an improved apparatus for the generation of a combustible water gas, through the decomposition of water or steam with a carbonaceous fuel; a portion of the" process existing in the manipulation or control of the generated gas in such manner that the sensible heat of the outgoing gas is substantially entirely transferred to the ingoing steam to such an extent that the gas will have been reduced in temperature substantially to the initial temperature of the ingoing water, while the resultant superheated steam will have been brought, at the moment of its introduction into the generating zone, substantially to the temperature of the gas flowing from the generating zone; the gas. generated from water and carbon by. my improved process having a small amount of nitrogen.

I have shown what I believe to be the simplest and best adaptations of my invention; having described the process and the mechanisms in terms of description and not of limitation, as there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude mechanical equivalents for the respective elements or features shown and described; certain structural modifications being possible and may be made without, however,

departing from'the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is 1. In a gas producer of the character described, comprising a receptacle having a gas generating chamber within the lower end thereof, a fuel-holding magazine in the upper end thereof terminating at a point in proximity to the upper end of the gas generating chamber but slightly removed therefrom so as to provide a gas passage therebetween, said receptacle being provided with a plurality of metallic walls arranged in s aced relation to provide a plurality of airtight chambers therebetween and disposed lengthwise of the producer and arranged in non-communicatin series, the innermost chamber of one series having communication at a point above the gas producing zone with the interior or gas producing portion of the producer and with each alternate chamber, the chambers of the other series being disosed intermediate of the respective chambers of the first mentioned series and the inner wall of the producer, with each chamber of the second mentioned series arranged in communication with each other, alternately at top and bottom, the innermost chamber of the second series adjacent the bottom thereof communicating with the producing chamber below the grate of the gas generating chamber, controllable means whereby predetermined quantities of water may be admitted to said second mentioned series of chambers at selective points, means located in said second mentioned series of chambers whereby the water is caused to flow in a circuitous manner from its point of admission to the point of communication beneath the grate of the gas generating chamber, means for withdrawing the produced gas through the first mentioned series of chambers, and regulable means for introducing fuel into said fuel magazine.

2. A gas producer of the character described, comprising a receptacle having a gas generating chamber in the lower end thereof and a fuel-holding magazine in the upper end thereof, said fuel-holding magazine terminating at a point slightly above the upper end of the gas generating chamber so as to provide a gas passage therebetween and intermediate of the magazine and the inner wall of the receptacle, said receptacle being rovided with a plurality of metallic wal s arranged in spaced relation to provide a plurality of longitudinal chambers therebetween disposed lengthwise of the producer, a hollow member or header se: cured to the upper ends of said walls and having communication with the gas passage intermediate of the fuel magazine and the inner wall of the receptacle and with certain of the chambers in the composite wall of the receptacle, a second hollow member or header secured to the lower ends of the walls of the receptacle adjacent to the grate end of the gas generating chamber, said last mentioned header being provided with openings disposed at a point beneath the grate of the gas generating chamber, and with a plurality of openings arranged in series, one

series communicating with the chamber intermediate of the inner wall and an intermediate wall of the receptacle, while the other series communicate with a series of chambers in the composite wall of the producer, water-directing means arranged within the upper ends of another series of said chambers, regulable means for controllin the flow of water onto said last mentione means, adjustable means arran ed in said last mentioned series of cham ers, intermediate of the first mentioned means and the bottom header, whereby the path of the vapor flowing therethrough ma be controlled, and externally controllab e air-tight means for introducing the fuel into said magazine.

3. A gas producer of the character dcsoribed, comprisin a receptacle provided with a plurality o metallic shells arranged in spaced relation so as to provide air-tight chambers therebetween, the inner wall being provided with a gas generating chamber in the lower end thereof and with a fuel-holding magazine in the upper end thereof, the latter being arranged in spaced relation with the inner wall and terminating at a point above the upper end of the gas generating chamber portion so as to provide a gas passage intermediate of the gas generating chamber and the magazine and intermediate of the magazine and the inner wall, an annular member or header'secured to the upper ends of the walls of the receptacle, said header being rovided with a plurality of ports arranged in series, the one series communicating with the gas passage intermediate of the magazine and the inner wall of the receptacle, while the other series of ports communicate with the chambers intermediate of certain predetermined walls of the receptacle, a second annular hollow member or header secured to the lower end of the inner wall of the receptacle at a point coincident with the grate-bar of the gas generating chamber, said bottom header being provided with a plurality of tuyeres terminating immediately beneath the grate of the gas generating chamber and with a plurality of ports, certain of which communicate with the chamber intermediate of the inner wall and an intermediate wall of the receptacle while others communicate with a predetermined number of the other chambers, 21 helically arranged trough disposed intermediate of two pairs of said walls from. a point adjacent to the upper header to a point coincident with the upper end of the ;gas generating chamber of the producer whereby the water is caused to flow circuitously within a preselected chamber, regulable means for introducing water into the preselected trough, a plurality of adjustable heat-conveying members arranged within the chambers whereby the vapor and gases pass ing through the respective chambers may be provided with paths of varying length, and an air-tight fuel-introducing means communicating with said fuel magazine. I

' 4. A gas producer of the character described, comprising a plurality of metalhc shells concentrically arranged in spaced relation to provide a plurality of chambers the other series of perforations in the top header communicating with the-chamber mtermediate of theouter shell and an intermediate shell, while one series of the perforations in the lower header communicates with the interior. of the producer, a second series of perforations in the lower header being arranged V in communication with the chamber intermediate of the inner shell and an intermediate shell, a. gas generating chamber arranged in the inner shell at the lower end thereof and terminatmg adjacent to the first mentioned series of perforations in the lower header, a fuel magazine arranged in the upper end of the inner shell in helically spaced relation therewith and terminating adjacent to the upper end of the gas generating chamber so as to providea gas passage therebetween and intermediate of the magazine and the inner shell, helically arranged means disposed about the inner shell from the top header to apoint adjacent to the upper end of the gas generating chamber for directing water circumferentially in a helical manner about the inner shell, regulable means for introducing the water to said last mentioned means, a plurality of heat-dissipating members disposed intermediate of said shells, a gas outlet arranged in the outer shell, and air-tightfuel-introducing means secured to the upper end of said fuel-holding magazine.

5. A gas producer of the character described, comprising a plurality of metallic shells concentrically arranged in spaced relation to provide a plurality of chambers therebetween, headers or hollow rings secured to the upper and lower ends of said shells, the headers being each provided with a plurality of ports, the perforations in the top header establishing communication be tween the interior of the producer and a predetermined portion of said chambers while the ports in the bottom header establish communication with another portion of said chambers and the interior of the producer, arranged means in certain of said chambers, apertured members arranged within said chamber and adjustable in a circumferential direction around the generating chamber, regulable means 'for introducing water into said helically arranged means, a gas generating. chamber arranged in the inner shell at the lowerend thereof and provided with a grate arranged adjacent to the ports in the lower header which communicate with the producer interior, a fuel magazine arranged in the upper end of the inner shell in spaced relation therewith and terminating at a point slightly removed from the upper end of the gas generating chamber so as to provide a gas passage therebetween and between the magazine and the inner shell, air-sealed fuel introducing means communicating with said magazine, and air sealed ash-dischar ing means secured beneath the grate and communicating with the producer interior.

6. A gas producer of the character described, comprising a receptacle provided with a plurality of metallic shells or walls concentrically arranged in spaced relation to provide chambers therebetween, means secured to the upper ends of the shells for establishing communication between the producer interior and the chamber interme: diate of certain of said shells or walls, means secured to the lower ends of the shells adapted to establish communication between the'chamber intermediate of certain walls and the producer interior, helically arranged means disposed intermediate of the upper ends of certain of said shells for conveying water thereabout, a plurality of laterally disposed apertured members or adjustable circumferentially between the shells for determining the length of the path of the element passing through teh respective chambers, a gas generating chamber provided with a grate secured within the lower end of the inner shellfadjacent to the point of communication with the second mentioned means, air-sealed means for controlling the introduction of fuel into the upper end of the producer, and air-sealed ash removal means disposed beneath the grate of the gas generating chamber.

7. A gas producer of the character described, comprising a plurality of metallic shells arranged concentrically in spaced re lation to provide separate steam generating chambers and separate gas-conveying chambers, helically arranged means in the generating chambers, means arranged in the steam generating chambers and in the gasconveying chambers for controlling the path of the steam and of the gas, said last mentioned means being adjustable in a circumferential direction around the generating chamber, means arranged at the upper ends of the shells for establishing communication between the producer interior and certain of the chambers, means adjacent the lower ends partitions III til)

of the shells for establishing communication between the producer interior and certain of said chambers, regulable means for introdueiug water on to said helically arranged means, rcgulable fuel introducing means at the top of the producer, and air-sealed ash discharging means located in the lower portion of the producer.

8. A. gas producer of the character described, the interior whereof is provided with a fuel magazine in the upper part and with a gas generating chamber having a grate in the lower part, the producer being provided with longitudinally chambered walls providing a plurality of passa es disposed circumfcrentially about and lengthwise ot' the producer, one portion of said passages constituting steam generating passages while the other portion constitutes gas conveying passages, the steam generating portion being arran ed intermediate of the gas generating chamber and the gas conveying portions and-adapted to be heated thereby, both of said portions being provided with means whereby the steam and the gas are caused to flow in circuitous paths about the gas generating chamber in their travel through the respective passages, helically arranged means in a part of the steam gencrating portion for conveying the steam circumferentially about the gas generating chamber, valved means for conveying water to said helically arranged means, a plurality of tuyeres intermediate of the lower end of a part of the steam generating portion whereby the steam is conveyed into the gas generating chamber beneath the grate there of, and a gas receiving chamber at the bottom of the producer with which the final end of the gas conveying portion communicates, said chamber being provided with an outlet conduit.

9..A gas producer of the character described, the interior whereof is provided with a fuel magazine in the upper portion and with a gas generating chamber in the lower portion, the producer being provided with longitudinally chambered walls providing a plurality of passages disposed lengthwise of the producer, one portion of said passages constituting asteam generating part while the other portion constitutes a gas conveying part, the steam generating part being disposed intermediate of the gas generating chamber and the gas conveying parts of the generator, the walls of the chambers being formed to transfer the heat from the gases to the steam generating part, controllable means for introducing water at a predetermined point in the steam generating part, means arranged in all of said passages whereby the inflowing water and resultant steam and the outgoing gases are made to travel in a circuitous manner through their respective passages and means for conveying the steam in minute jets at a predetermined point into the producer interior.

10. A gas producer of the character described, the lnterior whereof is provided with a fuel magazine in the' upper portion and with a gas generating chamber in the lower portion thereof, the producer bein provided with longitudinally chambered walls constituting, respectively, a plurality of steam generating and a plurality of gas conveying passages, with the gas conveying passages being disposed about the steam generating passages, regulable means for introducing water at a selective point in certain of the steam generating passages, means for introducing the generated steam in minute jets into the interior of the gas generating chamber at a point beneath said chamber, and a gas receiving chamber in the lower part of the producer beneath the gas generating chamber and the steam.generating passages and communicating with tho final gas passage.

11. A gas roducer of the character described, the interior whereof is provided with a fuel magazine in the upper part and with a gas generating chamber in the lower part, the producer being provided with a plurality of walls of heat conducting material arranged in spaced relation to provide longitudinal chambers therebetween, bafile members or partitions arranged intermediate of the walls in vertical spaced relation and apertured at predetermined points to provide circuitous paths through said chambers, certain of the chambers constituting a steam generating portion and having communication with the producer interior at a point beneath-the gas generating portion while the remainder of the chambers constitutes a gas conveying portion having communication with the interior of the producer adjacent the fuel magazine and comrnumeatlng with an outlet, regulable water introducing means communicating at a predetermined point with the steam generating portion, and a gas receiving chamber arranged beneath and independent of the gas generating chamber and the steam generatmg portion and communicating with the tinal gas conveying portion of said chambers 1n advance of the gas outlet. i

1 2. A gas producer of the character described, the interior whereof is provided with a fuel magazine in the upper part and with a gas generating chamber in the lower part, the producer beingprovided with a. plurality of walls of heat conducting material, arranged in spaced relation to provide longitudinal chambers therebetween, certain of the chambers constituting a steam gencr ating portion, arranged in communication with the producer interior beneath the gas generating chamber, while the rema nder of the chambers constitutes a gas conveying with aperturgs alternately disposed at op- 10 portion arranged in communication with the posite sides of the producer to provide cirmterior of the producer adjacent the upper cuitous paths through said chambers, reguend thereof, a helically arranged waterlable means for introducing water to said 6 trough in the upper art of the steam genwater-trough, and a gas receivin chamber eratin portion, hu e members arranged at the bottom of the producer an provided 16 throng out the remainder of said steam with a gas outlet.

generatin portion and said gas conveying portion, t e bafiie members being provide VINCENT D. MCDONNELL. 

